Alarmed disc locks?

[Fallout]

So I'm going to be travelling around a lot and leaving the bike in different locations overnight. An alarmed disc lock seems like the most appropriate security device. I can't guarantee I'll have somewhere to chain it too and I don't want to lug a chain around.

So far the best options seem to be Oxford Boss and Xena (various models, except the warrior princess model, which I hear favours the other side). Does anyone have any experience of these? Reading around my main concerns are ...

1. Sensitivity. I don't want it going off randomly in a strong wind or if someone farts walking past it.
2. Good locking mechanism. A lot of people seem to struggle to get it unlocked before the alarm goes off.

Anyone have personal experience with them, and how did you get on?

[Mat H]

I've got the Oxford Boss which went off at about 0300 once or twice when it was really windy (I think my cover knocked it). I didn't struggle unlocking it without setting it off- Just hold it still with one hand. Hopefully you won't have the problem of prats flicking it to set it off, like in my school :( Hope this helps.

[dkid]

Got the xena xx14. Really rate it too. Not had any false alarms at night etc, sensitivity can be adjusted by changing where on the disc you place it & it fits nicely under the rear pillion seat in an old soft camera case.
Oh, & it's thatcham approved so might save you some pennies on the insurance.

http://www.chainspeed.co.uk/products/*NEW*-XENA-XX14-Disc-Lock-Alarm-in-Stainless-Steel.html

[Tomor]

got the xena xn14. good bit of kit, but if you use a cover and it gets really windy, take the cover off otherwise it will go off at all hours of the day.

[Fallout]

Ahhh, see it doesn't seem to mention the sensitivity stuff on the various ads. If the Xena can be made less sensitive by placing it somewhere else on the disc then I reckon that sounds like the one. :)

[SIII]

Xena Xx14, only time is goes off is goeswhen the bike cover disturbs it. Easy to use and gives a wee beep before you ride away with it still on! Recommend, and battery lasted 2 years of use.
I also got the cable adapter so it can be secured to a post using the disk lock or lock your helmet to the bike, if the cable is moved - alarm goes off.

[svrich]

I have a Xena too although I can't remember which model. I've never had a false alarm, and the locking/unlocking has always been very smooth and easy. It is very solid and came with its own little pouch to carry it in under the seat.

[Fallout]

Thanks for the input chaps. I was looking at the Xena, but didn't like what I'd read on Amazon about it going off every 5 minutes, but with your feedback I'm happy. Just bought one from the old Ebay. :)

[Spank86]

I would guess the lower down on the disc its placed the less sensitive to the bike wobbling it is.

[DJ123]

I would guess the lower down on the disc its placed the less sensitive to the bike wobbling it is.

Correct. Top of the disc for high sensitivity, bottom of the disc for less sensitivity.

[Rogue_Shadow]

The real trick is removing them before they activate the alarm :D
Thought i'd offer the flip side review of the Xena disc lock alarms. I had a smaller version of the XX14 and although the locking mechanism never failed, the alarm unit died on two of mine. Each sent off for repair and both lost the "alarm" feature of the disc lock within months. They would simply mutter to themselves constantly and made no armed tone.
Cannot blame harsh weather conditions, lock was put onto my bike and left under a bike cover & left indoors when not in use. I took good care of them both too.
Might of been a dodgy batch, but my opinion of Xena alarms isn't that of recommendation. The lock was perfect though ;)

[rb8989]

My Xena is good, but it can be a task unlocking it before it goes of sometimes. It is very old now though!

[joe_f59]

Another vote for the XX14 alarm. Its so loud if it goes off in an enclosed space youl regret the experience for quite some time. I like to arm it and throw it in my housemates bedroom early on sunday mornings after hes been drinking

[Oxide]

Once read somewhere about someone using a rape alarm stuck to their bike, with the pull-cord discretely attached to a handlebar. When a potential thief goes to wrench the handlebars out of the steering lock, cord gets pulled and BOOM, your bike is getting raped and everyone in a 500m radius knows it. Not sure if they were being entirely serious but I can't really fault it :P

[Owenski]

Get one with a warning beep,
From what I've read/seen the dirty thieving scum arnt as stupid as we're led to believe and like to come and inspect a bike before nicking it.
A discrete approach and a nudge would give away that your bike is alarmed and they'd maybe move onto other pray.

[madmanRAB]

I have the Xena XX14 and my own problem started before it was even on the bike! I was installing the battery and forgot how i assembled it all together and in a confined space i set off the alarm on 5 or 6 occasions one after the other. I was deaf for a week! (but i didn't receive letters from the neighbours which was a bonus). On the bike though i can happily leave it in the city centre (Glasgow btw!) and i know it's safe. Highly recommended!

[Wildkid]

Xena all the way, ive got one and its been superb.

[dkid]

I have the Xena XX14 and my own problem started before it was even on the bike! I was installing the battery and forgot how i assembled it all together and in a confined space i set off the alarm on 5 or 6 occasions one after the other. I was deaf for a week! (but i didn't receive letters from the neighbours which was a bonus). On the bike though i can happily leave it in the city centre (Glasgow btw!) and i know it's safe. Highly recommended!

Haha, yeah I remember struggling a bit putting the battery in on my xx14 too. Felt a bit dim but once I'd done it I was extremely pleased with the unit itself.

[SIII]

http://www.motohaus.com/acatalog/Xena_Service_Kits_.html

Here's a link to the cable & adapter I also have. Leave this under bike seat just in case I need to leave the bike anywhere dodgy.

Nothing is ever totally secure but anything that puts the scumbags off or slows them down!

[dkid]

http://www.motohaus.com/acatalog/Xena_Service_Kits_.html

Here's a link to the cable & adapter I also have. Leave this under bike seat just in case I need to leave the bike anywhere dodgy.

Nothing is ever totally secure but anything that puts the scumbags off or slows them down!

That's a handy little extra, like it! I use an Oxford hardcore XL chain & ground anchor at home in the garage but its not practical to carry around on the bike due to the weight of the thing.
I reckon I'll be ordering one of these, cheers for the link.

[otaylor38]

I like the look of the xx14, especially with the XV110 chain.

As I understand it, as soon as you push the pin through the lock the disc lock, the alarm is activated, is this correct?

Is there a way to disarm the alarm and just use it as a standard disc lock?

Help muchly appreciated. Cheers :)

[Tomor]

take out the battery ;) but then whats the point? just get a normal disc lock

[otaylor38]

Hmm true I guess haha. I was just curious. Cheers (:

[KobayashiMaru]

One of the Abus alarmed ones I'm thinking of for when I'm out and about. At home it will be chained up in a garage blocked in by my car.